The Ultimate Guide to the California Law and Ethics Exam for AMFTs and LMFTs
California Law and Ethics Exam: All You Need to Know, Seriously
Congratulations: If you’re here, then you’re getting closer and closer to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)! You’ve gotten a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree and completed your hours of supervised professional experience, and now you’re now ready to take (and pass) the exam that’ll make it all official: the California Law and Ethics Exam!
Note: For aspiring LMFTs, you’ll also need to pass the California Clinical Exam.
Today, we go over all you need to know about the California Law and Ethics Exam, including important dates, how to prepare, what to do when you pass/fail, and how to find the best study resources you can to get you ready to become a therapist!
What Is the California Law and Ethics Exam?
First things first, what is the California Law and Ethics Exam, and what does it consist of? Here’s a quick overview: The California Law and Ethics Exam is a 75-question, multiple-choice test that needs to be taken in your first year of registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT).
Once you register as an Associate MFT with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, you have 1 year to attempt the LMFT CA Law and Ethics Exam for your profession.
Please note: If you want to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in California, you’ll also need to take a law and ethics examination. Check out the California Board of Behavioral Sciences' website for more information on specific CA Law and Ethics exams. This blog post is specifically about the CA Law and Ethics exam for those pursuing the LMFT or AMFT path.
For those pursuing the LMFT route, you must pass this exam first; then, you can apply to take the Clinical Exam.
What Are the Differences Between the California Law and Ethics Exam and the Clinical Exam?
The main difference between the California Law and Ethics Exam and the Clinical Exam is that you only need to take both tests if you’d like to become an LMFT. AMFTs only need to take the California Law and Ethics Exam.
The other differences between these two tests are that the California Law and Ethics Exam tests your knowledge and how you’d handle specific scenarios within the Marriage and Family Therapy field. It’s a multiple-choice test you have 90 minutes to complete.
The California Clinical Exam is more comprehensive. It covers a range of subjects, including treatment, clinical evaluation, and crisis management. You’re given 4 hours to complete this exam. If you pass this exam, you’ll receive an application for the MFT initial license. You must apply for this license within one year of passing these exams. If your application is in order, then you’ll become an LMFT in California! If you fail the Clinical Exam, you must take it again within one year of the date you didn’t pass.
When Should You Take the California Law and Ethics Exam?
You have a couple of options here. You can take this exam in your first year as an associate, as you’ll have just finished graduate school and have that knowledge fresh in your brain. Also, if you pass early, then you don’t have to worry about taking the test in the future.
Or you can take this exam once you become a new associate and land a job. It’s understandable why you’d take this route, as you may want a break from testing post-graduate school and want some time to focus on other areas of your life.
How Do You Apply for the California Law and Ethics Exam?
When you want to apply for the California Law and Ethics Exam, fill out this application (only if you haven’t previously taken the Law and Ethics Exam). If you need to submit a request for re-examination, do so here.
Once you’ve completed the application, attach a $150 check or money order payable to the “Behavioral Sciences Fund” and submit your application and fee to the address below:
Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S200
Sacramento, CA 95834
Alternatively, you may apply via the BreEZe system online.
How Long Do You Have to Complete the California Law and Ethics Exam?
You’ll receive 90 minutes to complete the California Law and Ethics Exam. Accommodations for extra time can be requested as well.
What Happens if You Fail the California Law and Ethics Exam?
If you don’t pass, you’ll need to re-take the exam for each registration renewal until you pass. You have a 90-day window to retest.
It is important to know that failing the exam does NOT have anything to do with your worth or ability to become a therapist. MANY great therapists failed licensing exams. In fact, Miranda Palmer, LMFT one of the co-founders of zynnyme failed her second licensing test by one point! This does not define you. You will simply create a plan that works for you to study and take it again.
What’s the Waiting Period Between Exam Attempts for the California Law and Ethics Exam?
The California Law and Ethics Exam can be retaken after a 90-day waiting period once your application for re-examination and your fee has been taken care of and submitted to the board.
When Will You Receive the California Law and Ethics Exam Results from the Board?
The board provides the California Law and Ethics exam results within 24 to 48 hours of the exam date.
What Happens Once You Pass the California Law and Ethics Exam?
Once you have passed the California Law and Ethics Exam, if you’re still earning hours of supervised experience, you’ll continue to do so. Once you’ve met all your education and experience requirements, you can submit your application for licensure (for those of you who are applying to become an LMFT). Upon approval of your application for licensure, you’ll be required to pass the CA Clinical LMFT Exam.
If you’re still wondering what the different requirements for licensure are for AMFTS and LMFTS, check out our checklist below for more support:
Requirements to Become an AMFT
Here are the requirements to become an AMFT in California:
Master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related topic with equivalent coursework, from a regionally accredited program or a Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)-accredited program.
Note: This must include a 6-semester or 9-quarter units of practicum, with a minimum of 150 hours working directly with clients.
This must also include 75 hours of either client-centered advocacy and/or face-to-face counseling experience. Be sure to check out the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website for additional information, as educational requirements can change.
A plan established to complete hours of work experience and supervision.
Passing California Law and Ethics Exam score.
If you have additional questions (and it’s okay if you do), here are the FAQs answered by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
If you want to navigate the path to licensure with other pre-licensed clinicians, be sure to check out our pre-licensed therapist community. Gain exam insight and study tips and join an online community of pre-licensed therapists going through similar challenges.
Requirements to Become an LMFT
Here are the requirements to become an LMFT in California:
Completion of the requirements to become an AMFT.
Pass the Clinical Exam and the California Law and Ethics Exam.
Completion of 2 years of post-degree work experience as an MFT.
Note: A minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised experience is also needed, during a period of at least 104 weeks.
A minimum of 1,700 hours must be earned post-degree, and a maximum of 1,300 hours obtained during graduate training may count towards this requirement.
A minimum of 1,750 hours of direct counseling to individuals, groups, couples, or families. A minimum of 500 of these hours must be with families, couples, or children.
A maximum of 1,250 hours of nonclinical practice.
One hour of direct supervisor contact is required for every five hours of client contact. No more than six hours of supervision will be credited during any single week.
How Can You Prepare for the California Law and Ethics Exam?
We recommend joining our pre-licensed therapist group to prepare for the California Law and Ethics Exam! From gathering hours to studying for licensing exams, we’re a resource hub of support and advice.
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